Give that wolf a banana!

Liverpool [ hosting Eurovision for Ukraine ] will be buzzing on Saturday evening, but as always the real ball changing will be going on in homes across the globe, where nearly 200 million viewers will be wondering what the heck they’ve just witnessed.

True to form, following on from Norwegian group Subwoolfer’s Banana entry last year, Saturday’s biggest gobsmacker will come from Croatia’s Let 3 who will perform Mama ŠČ! The group are well known in Croatia for obscene lyrics and outrageously rude/nude live performances. Thankfully for Liverpool, they’ve dialled it down a notch - but be prepared folks - dressed as dictators in glittery underwear their performance of Mama ŠČ (an anti-war song) the vision will stay with you for many a week.

Finland and Sweden have really strong entries with Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä and Loreen singing Tattoo respectively. Loreen who has been keeping Liverpool’s nail bars busy all week, won the contest for Sweden in 2012, so knows how to boss it.

However it would be no surprise if the Spanish entry steals the show, the hauntingly beautiful voice of Blanca Paloma singing EAEA in Spanish with punchy synths and a Flamenco vibe is both dramatic and breathtaking.

Ukraine of course will feature greatly and Tvorchi with Heart of Steel will bag plenty of votes. The song stands out on merit but seriously which country would dare not to give at him least a 7. The World would love Kyiv to be hosting next year.

UK is represented by Mae Muller. Mae is the final act of the 26 (following them crazy Croatian dictator boyz) with the UK ear worm I Wrote A Song. Quite rightly, Mae will get a huge reception from the UK crowd - The bookies reckon around 80-1 … harsh and not really fair - but does it all matter when ultimately the biggest demonstration of Euro soft power is the UK stepping in to host the event. Two weekends in a row, we do a good show here. Chill that Lambrusco.

By Dara Foley

Let 3, the Croatian entry. Image source - Franko Kelam

OUR MAY ISSUE: OUT NOW

You'll love our fabulous May magazine which features a great collection of reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Fire Iron Art

On Saturday 6 May, a fire at the historic Underfall Yard on Bristol harbourside destroyed a number of buildings and businesses, including Joanna Williams' blacksmiths workshop – Fire Iron Art. The blacksmith has been advised by numerous sources that nothing will be recoverable and the contents of Joanna's workshop are not covered by insurance.

This week, Joanna's friends have helped set up a JustGiving page to replace machinery, tools and equipment that took over a decade to acquire. The crowdfunding page reads: "During Joanna’s 14-year career as a professional blacksmith, she has worked hard to build her business single-handedly and invested everything in it. As many people are aware, it was her love and her life. All the machines, equipment, hand tools, sculptures, sketch books and so much more have been completely destroyed. Many items being irreplaceable."

Devastated by the loss, Joanna said: “It is too unimaginable to comprehend and I remain in disbelief at the fact I have just lost everything in one night".

Donations have already flooded in and, as of writing, they have raised £5,419 of their £30,000 target. If you can, please donate at: justgiving.com

In our April issue, we caught up with Joanna to talk all about how she uses the ancient craft of blacksmithing to bring her original designs to life, creating elegant sculptures and distinctive high-quality functional pieces. Read more about her work here: thebristolmag.co.uk

Image credit: Artist blacksmith Joanna Williams ©JeffHillBudPics

Words by Melissa Blease

Baked Prawn and Red Pepper Risotto

All too often, we're all too afraid of getting risotto wrong; after all, it has a ritual-laden reputation that can be rather off-putting to the domestic cook. But as is the case with most classic dishes, there's a shortcut to success that doesn't detract from a superb end result – and in this instance, baked risotto is the way forward.

High starch, short grain rice is intrinsic to the creamy texture of the finished dish – no other rice apart from Italian Arborio will do (fortunately it's readily available in most supermarkets). Skimping on the quality of your stock, however, can ruin all your hard work; few of us have fresh stock to hand, but a 'stock pot' concentrate (again, readily available) is an admirably good substitute.

Raw prawns work well in this recipe (they 'poach' in the flavoursome stock), but I recommend large, fat king prawns rather than little tiddlers that will only get lost in the mix. If you're using frozen prawns, allow them to defrost before using.

Ingredients (serves 4)

2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, peeled and finely-chopped
1 large red pepper, deseeded and sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely-sliced
½ tsp dried chilli flakes
150g arborio risotto rice
125ml dry white wine
600ml hot fish, chicken or vegetable stock
300g raw king prawns, defrosted if frozen
150g frozen garden peas
The zest and juice of 1 lemon

Method

Preheat the oven to 180c/gas mark 4 and put a shallow 1.5l ovenproof dish on the middle shelf to warm up.

Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the shallots and red pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until soft, adding the garlic and dried chilli flakes for the last minute or so. Add the rice and stir well to thoroughly combine all the ingredients before adding the wine and allowing the mixture to bubble briefly until the wine has reduced and the alcohol evaporated.

Transfer the mixture to the oven-warmed dish and cover with the hot stock. Stir well and bake uncovered in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the stock has almost been completely absorbed by the rice, which should be just about al dente at this stage.

Remove the dish from the oven and add the prawns, peas and lemon zest. Season with salt and white pepper, stir well and bake for another 5 minutes until the prawns have turned pink and the peas have heated through.

Allow the risotto to settle for 3-5 minutes before serving in warm bowls.

Discover the culinary delights of Malaysia and South Asia at Harvey Nichols Bristol

Coming to Harvey Nichols Bristol on Wednesday 7 June (7pm), explore the organic and seasonal delights of Castle Farm, Midford.

Located near Bath and run by husband and wife – Pravin and Leah Nayar – Castle Farm specialises in farm-to-table cooking, inspired by the team’s mixed Asian and Scandinavian heritage and seasonal produce grown in the garden.

For this exclusive event in collaboration with Harvey Nichols Bristol, the Castle Farm team will be bringing the flavours of Malaysia and South Asia to the city with a six-course tasting menu at the Second Floor Restaurant.

Tickets cost £55 per person, click here to book

Did someone mention Lambrusco?

Bouze points! Get that party started with these Euro fizzies.

Brut di Pinot Nero Rosé VS (Magnum) – Ruggeri

Cherry red with a hint of salmon pink. The nose is fresh, fragrant and inviting, offering light red fruit aromas and hints of biscuity yeast. Finely textured with a consistent mousse. This wine is medium bodied and dry, but possesses a ripe cranberry fruit intensity that balances the bubbles and the crisp finish beautifully. Magnum at £34.22

Sassomoro Lambrusco di Modena – Castelvetro

Intense purple, with shocking pink foam. Morello cherries, elderberries, blackberries, gentle tannin and a little prickle from the bubbles. £13.95

Prosecco Extra Dry – Fiabesco

A lively crisp sparkling wine with a delicate lemony character and an aromatic, dry, refreshing finish. Lovely, light, fresh pear drop fruit with plenty of acidity; a great aperitif to get your party going with a touch of style. £12.20

NV Sparkling Love by Léoube Organic Rosé, Chateau – Château Leoube

In a bottle adorned with love hearts this fizz could not be more camp. Showing beautiful red fruit aromas of pomegranate, red berries, and grapefruit, it’s a great sparkler and perfect for all celebrations. £27.50

Asti DOCG – Fontanafredda

An aromatic medium sweet sparkling wine with notes of musk, sage and honey on the nose and a taste of just-picked grapes. £13.95

Vintage Brut Gran Reserva Cava - Pere Ventura
This is a signature cava, which unites the body and structure of the Xarel·lo with the floral and fruity qualities of the Chardonnay. The result is a fine, harmonious and subtle cava, whose expressive aromas, creamy touch, and exquisite character are seductive… ooo-er! £37.50

Click the button below to see a fabulous selection of sparkling wines from Europe and across the globe at The Great Wine Company.
greatwine.co.uk

CHANEL LE VERNIS

This spring, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio has proven that it has creativity at its fingertips, by revisiting the LE VERNIS line and designing a rich collection of 24 shades. CHANEL is introducing 17 new nail polish hues to match every mood and emotion this season while maintaining 7 emblematic shades.

Colour is envisioned as a language, to reflect a style, like the detail that makes all the difference. CHANEL explored its colour vocabulary to form this new palette. The 24 shade range features vibrant to mysterious shades, giving every personality and every creative spirit a voice.

With a wider brush for easier & faster application covering the entirety of the nail for neat contours in a single passage, this nail polish accomplishes lacquered shine, intense colour and longwear results.

Go to chanel.com to shop

Essentiel Antwerp Daskur Dress - £220

Essentiel Antwerp is all about refreshing, luxurious fashion with its bold prints and vibrant colours. Playful, graphic and floral prints rejuvenate women’s wardrobes with clothes that are always on trend, effortlessly wearable and above all original. The brand is Belgian based, founded by husband-and-wife team, Inge Onsea and Esfan Eghtessad who launched the brand’s first collection from their apartment in Antwerp with just 4 styles of t-shirt in a range of bold colours.

Go to squarebath.uk to purchase

Isle of Eden

Whistles' second drop with New Zealand-based eyewear brand, Isle of Eden is now available online.

Designed in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Isle of Eden's designs balance form and function, pairing a bold yet minimalistic aesthetic with high-quality materials and wearable elements. Carefully crafted from responsible materials - including plant-based bio-acetate for frames and recycled cases- the glasses are designed to be styled and cherished for years to come. | £115

Click here to shop at whistles.com

More than a pretty face

Since its creation in 1945, the Datejust has continued to reinvent itself while symbolising Rolex’s definition of classic elegance.

A milestone in watchmaking history, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to feature a window displaying the date.

Magnified by Rolex’s iconic Cyclops lens the date is always in perfect view.

This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in Oystersteel and white gold is a recent addition and features the most beautiful azzurro-blue floral-motif face. It comprises of three different finishes – sunray, matt and grained - using high-tech finishing techniques and a shining example of refined dial-making expertise. The dial is enhanced by 24 diamonds of varying sizes, 18 ct gold settings which illuminate the centre of each flower.

At its heart, the perpetual, self-winding movement is powered by the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 2236 giving a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. It is waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet. Above all this attains the highest specification as a Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing). | £8,650, limited availability

Find out more by visiting Bath’s official Rolex retailer Mallory
mallory-jewellers.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

New York-based biannual Homme Girls is one of our favourite fashion indies and one we’ve watched go from strength to strength. Originally a quirky take on women dressing as men, it’s much expanded in size and travelled slightly towards the middle ground but remains one of the most refreshing magazines you can buy in this market. Issue 9 touts an outstanding set of cover stars including Paloma Elsesser, Kiko Mizuhara and Alek Wek, but we just know the covers featuring Kylie Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski are the ones that will fly. | £10

store.magalleria.co.uk

Bristol Valuation Day

If you would like to receive a free, no obligation expert valuation, please bring your items along between 10:30am-6pm

Sell your Fine Jewellery, Watches, Designer Handbags and Fashion - Zero Fees for selling

The Club Room, The Clifton Club, 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS | Wednesday 17 May

0207 096 8933 | valuations@elmwoods.co.uk
elmwoods.co.uk

Celebration of British Choral Music - St Mary's Redcliffe

David Bednall – Conductor – Nigel Nash – Accompanist

Byrd – Ad Dominum cum Tribularer and In Felix Ego
Handel – Coronation Anthem: My heart is inditing
Finzi – Magnificat
Bednall – Nunc dimittis
Parry – Blest Pair of Sirens
Britten – Rejoice in the Lamb
Howells – Behold O God our defender
Stanford – For Lo I Raise Up

Tickets:
£22 reserved
£14 unreserved
Students and under 18s £5

St. Mary's Redcliffe Church, Bristol BS1 6RA | Saturday 17 June | 7:30 pm
More information available at bristolbach.org.uk
0117 214 0721 | tickets@bristolbach.org.uk

The Dig for Victory Show

The Dig For Victory Show is a fantastic 1940's family festival held in the beautiful North Somerset countryside, exploring the turbulent yet thought-provoking wartime years. 

Enjoy military vehicles, re-enactors, live music, dancing, history talks, vintage stalls, delicious local food including our lovely vintage tea room and bar, arena events, a 1940s farm, a vintage fun-fair and children's trail and much, much more.

North Somerset Showground, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NE | 10 & 11 June 2023
Go to digforvictoryshow.com for more information

Samuel Wesley symphonies by candlelight

The Bristol Ensemble return to John Wesley’s New Room with a candlelit evening of compositions from Samuel Wesley. Known as the ‘English Mozart’, Samuel Wesley was the nephew of John Wesley and his early musical education took place in Bristol. 

Director: Roger Huckle
Soloist: Jonathan Price (organ)

Programme:
Violin Concerto in D Major
Symphony in D major – ‘Sinfonia Obligato’
Symphony in A major

The Bristol Ensemble is the city’s only professional orchestra, comprising a core of 25 musicians and a further 50 musicians, all experienced players in a range of musical genres. The Ensemble has flexible configurations, from a piano trio through to full symphony orchestra.

John Wesley's New Room, 36 The Horsefair, Bristol BS1 3JE
Saturday 20 May | Doors 7pm. Café-bar open from 6pm
Tickets £20 / £18 concessions (over 65 / students) from newroombristol.org.uk

Street Food Circus launches Big Banquet at Caldicot Castle

Street Food Circus is bringing a new street food festival to the grounds of Caldicot Castle.

The Big Banquet will run across the late May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 27 May - Monday 29 May), bringing flavours from around the world served up by some of Wales’ top street food chefs, bartenders and mixologists.

As well as more than a dozen top street food traders, the Street Food Circus will be bringing high-wire acts, walkabout performers, marshmallow fire pits and evening fire shows, guest DJs and buskers with lots of space for people to sit, meet, play and eat.

Saturday 27 May sessions:
11am - 4pm | 4:30pm - 10pm
Sunday 28 May sessions:
11am - 4pm | 4:30pm - 10pm
Monday 29 May Session:
11am - 5pm

Location: Caldicot Castle, Church Rd, Caldicot NP26 4HU - five minutes from Caldicot railway station.

Tickets are £5 plus booking fee and kids’ tickets are free
Tickets are available for the Big Banquet at thebigbanquet.uk

The rise of the child friendly “Netwalk” - Award winning networking group Freelance Mum launches two new hubs across Bristol including central Bristol at St George’s Bristol and at The Ardagh Centre Horfield this month

Freelance Mum has launched two brand-new hubs in Bristol. These new hubs which are more than just networking groups, support mums who freelance and run their own businesses. The new North Bristol Hub will meet monthly at The Ardagh Centre in Horfield starting on Thursday 18 May and the new Central Bristol hub will meet monthly at Bristol’s iconic hall: St George’s Bristol, starting on Tuesday 23 May. Each will hold monthly meet ups and netwalks.

The two groups will meet once a month to ‘netwalk’ for fresh air and focus questions and enables mums in business to network and (crucially) bring their children. Not only does Freelance Mum offer networking, but the connections made offer invaluable support to many women who juggle running their own business and parenting.

The also group offers an active online community of support and cheerleaders for women in business, with weekly online coffee mornings and member led sessions where all hub members across the country can come together and connect.

For more information, visit freelancemum.co.uk

Sefton Park Road, Bristol BS7

Offered for sale by Ocean Estate agents

A simply stunning four bedroom family home located in a prominent position along one of St Andrews best roads.

Having been completely refurbished and ready to occupy with no chain, this beautiful Victorian property combines modern elegance with charming period features to create a truly exceptional space. 

In brief the accommodation is as follows: The ground floor features a large lounge with parquet flooring and a beautiful bay window that floods the room with natural light. Next to the lounge, there’s a convenient utility room with a toilet discreetly nestled under the staircase. 

Continuing through the property, there is a spacious kitchen/diner complete with all new appliances - this open plan area offers a flexible space for family meals and social gatherings. A wonderful garden room with bi-fold doors provides easy access to the outside space completes this level.

Leading to the first floor, is a generously proportioned bedroom featuring a dressing area and a luxurious en-suite bathroom. Additionally, there is a well-appointed family bathroom and two further bedrooms on this floor, offering ample accommodation for family members or guests. One particular highlight of this property is the master bedroom with en-suite, located in the loft conversion.

Outside, boasts a substantial garden with lawn and decking, creating the perfect outdoor area for families.  Guide price | £850,000

For more information and images, click here to see the property on the Ocean Home website